In 2014, during a tense period of conflict in Ukraine, the author experiences flight delays due to fog, heightening concerns for their family at home. By using Skype to communicate, they maintain peace of mind for their anxious mother, demonstrating the platform's importance for those without smartphones or accessible international calling options. The article reflects on how Skype has been a crucial means of communication amid geopolitical turmoil, contrasting with fears over its impending closure and the shift to Microsoft Teams, which may not cater to all users.
My use of the platform-to call home when stuck in war-torn Ukraine for an extra day, or to check on the status of my sick grandfather in hospital on the sidelines of a conference in the U.S. earlier this year-is very much a first-world problem.
International calls remain prohibitively expensive. And for a generation that doesn't own smartphones-like my parents-or a country that steadfastly refuses to join the rest of the world on WhatsApp (hello, United States), Skype has proven a lifeline.
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